Products of Murrelektronik GmbH (4)

Cube67 - Consistent decentralisation

Impact67 Profinet with IO-Link

Modlink MSDD

MVP12 Steel

In one sentence: Murrelektronik makes sure that you have the best connections. The best connections and power distribution in different kinds of machines and systems across many different industries - worldwide. Or to express it in a different way - we develop and produce top quality products for the electric and electronic machine and system installations. Our products deliver power and signal from the control cabinet over our interfaces into the field using active or passive IO technology.

With a wide product range, innovative design, our own test center and top customer service and fast deliveries, we are one of the global leading electronic product manufacturers for machine installations.

With 24 branches around the world and many regional sales teams, we are always there for our customers to answer individual questions or help them design in an entire system. We have industry experts from all industries including Food & Beverage, Packaging and Automotive to help develop the right products for the industries.

We are proud of Murrelektronik. Especially since our organization, which was founded in 1975 in Oppenweiler, is a market leader both in Germany and around the world.

Customers are the focus of our company. Our slogan "stay connected" comes out of our philosophy that we make sure that our products, services, prices, quality and logistics processes are oriented towards our customers, markets and industries. Innovation and staying flexible are key for us. A cooperative leadership culture, flat hierarchies and short decision paths all lead us in the right direction.

With more than 2,000 employees in over 50 countries worldwide, we make sure to stay connected - not only within the technical world, but also building relationships that reach across borders.

Because we are Murrelektronik - stay connected!

FIGURES AND FACTS

Foundation
1975 in Oppenweiler

Employees
Over 2,000 worldwide

Turnover
244 million Euro in 2015

Electronics in the control cabinet
Power supply units, transformers, suppression technology, relays and interface technology

Exhibitor video

Cube67 - Consistent decentralisation

Transnova Ruf's state-of-the-art packaging systems use a large number of sensors and valves to ensure smooth, fully automated operation. Because the machines are so large, their electrical installation requires a "lean" solution. By using Murrelektronik's Cube67 fieldbus system, they are able to achieve their goals and benefit from the modular nature of the system.

Transnova Ruf Verpackungs- und Palettiertechnik GmbH in Southern Germany is a successful packaging machinery company. About 250 employees design and produce turnkey machines and systems for secondary and end of line packaging. These systems pack products for shipping and distribution: single units are put into a box; or prepared in shelf-ready packaging then the boxes are stacked on pallets. This requires a multi-stage packaging process; therefore the engineers have to design and implement comprehensive and efficient systems that are able to link a series of consecutive processes. Since the mid-1990s, Transnova Ruf has been using robots in many applications making the automation level very high.

Transnova Ruf doesn't produce "ready-made" machines for their customers. The company uses a modular approach where the individual functions are split into modules that can be assembled, as needed depending on the application. "This gives us room for a wide variety of solutions", explains Michael Ruf, TR executive board member. It also enables Transnova Ruf to meet the complex needs of their customers. This approach also has another important advantage – it makes it possible to develop a winning solution even under less than ideal conditions like installing a packaging machine in a small hall with many corners. The modules are designed as virtual templates with defined hardware and software components, which significantly reduces the engineering efforts. Transnova Ruf buys the components such as inspection systems, labeling devices or printers and integrates them into the machines.

Transnova Ruf produces not only small and compact systems, like "Case Packers" in their production halls they also manufacture large, comprehensive systems with dimensions of up to 70 or 80 meters. A machine of this size has to be very modular not only for installation but also for transportation since that usually requires several trucks. As a result, decentralization principles are given priority when it comes to the electrical installation of the systems, already in the early planning stages. "We want to keep the installation lean. We don’t want to have to route cables 50 or 100m into the cabinet ", says Hermann Schindler, who is responsible for the hardware planning. As a result, Transnova Ruf moved the frequency converters, which are quite numerous in a packaging system, from the cabinet into the field.

Transnova Ruf is currently working on the logistics for a new production plant for a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Medical products are packed in small boxes that are then are conveyed on any one of 10 production lines via supply routes to make a round trip. From there they are transported to a lower level with spiral conveyers and then routed via switches to branch terminal lines. Two robots place the packages on pallets that are then carted with a linear carriage. The filled pallets are shrink wrapped before undergoing a contour check and receiving an information label. At the end of the process, the finished pallets are transported to the high rack warehouse. The system operates by itself, "once every four hours it’s necessary for a worker to replenish the film at the wrapping unit", explains Hermann Schindler.

A large number of sensors and valves are integrated into this system. The data matrix codes printed on the primary packaging help to bring the boxes into the system at the right time and transport them to the right packaging station.

Transnova Ruf uses Murrelektronik's Cube67 fieldbus system as the backbone of the system’s electrical installation. Since the fieldbus modules are connected with pluggable cables, Transnova Ruf's engineers along with Mr. Schindler were able to put together a very flexible solution that can be quickly assembled and disassembled as needed. Furthermore, the system is easily expandable. It does not require a lot of modifications from the electro-technical point of view. Often another Cube67 module can be integrated simply by connecting it to nearby module with a Murrelektronik hybrid (data and power) cable. The double-ended hybrid cables also lower the risk of wiring errors.

15 Cube67 ProfiNet bus nodes are installed in this system. The modules collect information from the sensors (mainly light curtains that detect the position of the product) and transfer the signals to the valves. The fieldbus system is responsible for about 70 drives in this installation. These SEW motors, located at various positions along the conveyor line, are equipped with integrated frequency converters. "This solution doesn't require any switch boxes and terminal boxes in the field, where the space is already confined", says Hermann Schindler. Using Murrelektronik's Movimot function module, Transnova Ruf connects a component for the Cube67 system that makes these motors easy to connect.

Because each port on a Cube67 module can handle two signals, Transnova Ruf's engineers use T-couplers to split the signals in some applications. In these cases the T-couplers connect M8 cables. To connect the data transfer unit that sends information from the palletizing unit to the high rack warehouse, Transnova Ruf's engineers use a Cube67 valve module with 16 contacts for the exchange of digital signals.

By implementing Cube67, Transnova Ruf achieves a practical and versatile installation concept. It fits into the new packaging system and, due to its modular design, it is a practical solution that offers the potential for future expansions.

Jörg Krautter, Vice President Automation, and Bernd Waser, Head of R&D

Why is integration so easy? The main idea is called 'IODD on Board' an advanced technology by Murrelektronik. The sensor and actuator data stored in the IODD (IO Device Description) are directly incorporated into the GSDML files of the Murrelektronik MVK Metal and Impact67 fieldbus modules. If devices (e.g. IO-Link sensors or valve terminals) are connected, you can access this data directly and very conveniently via your PLC software tools, with no need for manual parameter setting or special tools.

This, of course, greatly simplifies matters, as to date every new IO-Link device had to be integrated into the software individually, a time-consuming process. In fact, it could become very tedious, as the same steps had to be completed for each new device. This is now past history, and once created, configurations can be duplicated over copy & paste. This is a major benefit for manufacturers of series machinery.

However, the new freely configurable modules offer great advantages for non-standard machinery as well: the Murrelektronik auto-configuration mode makes speedy commissioning a reality. Setting parameters for digital inputs/outputs is eliminated; the channels act according to the control system commands.

However, if the emphasis is on maximum flexibility, opt for expert mode: values can be freely set individually with the help of Murrelektronik IO-Link device tool. One of the tool benefits is that individual values are not only displayed in hexadecimal form, but are also converted into the format of your choice for easy capture.

"Series machinery manufacturers benefit because once they've created configurations, they can copy & paste them any amount of times to other systems and machine controls."
Jörg Krautter | Vice President of Automation

"Expert mode allows maximum scope for flexibility: we can freely set every single value over our IO-Link device tool."
Bernd Waser | Head of R&D

Modlink MSDD

Easy Access

The front panel interfaces Modlink MSDD from Murrelektronik provide uncomplicated and safe access to the control unit without having to open the cabinet door. A variety of country-specific sockets and data connectors provide high flexibility, comprehensive approvals allow a worldwide application.

The software of control units must often be adapted to the current processes. To do this, it has to be connected to laptops or diagnostic devices. This is often only possible with the cabinet door open. That costs time and money. If changes have to be made during operation, service technicians sometimes use a "makeshift wiring" which is prone to errors and only a less-than-ideal solution.

This can be avoided by using the front panel interface Modlink MSDD. Modlink MSDD is a modular system which consists of standardized single and double frames made of metal or plastic which are integrated into the switch cabinet housing. More than 170 different inserts with country-specific sockets and data interfaces (for example SUB-D, RJ45 or USB) can be clicked into place. Whether they’re used in China, Canada, France or in many other countries – Murrelektronik has the right solution!

This variety allows you to have more than 100,000 combination options. In all single frames, there is space for at least one country-specific socket and data communication. If several sockets and interfaces are necessary for the application, the double frame offers the required space. The high protection class IP65 of Modlink MSDD makes sure that the front panel interfaces can also be used in rugged environments. Thanks to EMC shielding plates, the EMC requirements can be met.

In the industrial area, sockets must be secured, according to the standard, up to 20 A using residual current devices (RCDs). Therefore a commercially available 2-pole safety switch can be integrated in Modlink MSDD. After an error, just reset the safety switch. For the data communication, this insert can be equipped with a USB-A or RJ45 connection depending on practical needs. The result is a complete programming interface including a secured electrical connection. This solution is unique on the market.

For the international use, approvals are important. The front panel interfaces Modlink MSDD with the well-known double-bit lock for switch cabinets are certified by UL according to cURus. The approval for the inserts is a so-called design approval. Thus newly configured inserts are as of now approved according to cURus.

MVP12 Steel

IP69K stainless steel distribution boxes open the door for decentralization of applications in the Food and Beverage industry

Machine components and installations in the F&B industry have to be easy to clean. As a result, Murrelektronik's new MVP12 Steel distribution box is made of high-quality stainless steel. It is an ideal solution to implement a decentralized approach in F&B machines and installations.

The F&B industry doesn't make any compromises where cleanliness and corrosion protection are concerned. Dirt must be easy to remove. Parts are exposed to high pressure wash downs with aggressive cleaning agents.

Prior to the introduction of MVP Steel, individual cables had to be routed through a system - a very complex task in the F&B industry because of the cleanliness requirements. Now a single homerun cable replaces the individual ones. This reduces material costs, the amount of wiring and space required. Moreover, terminal boxes are no longer required in the field. MVP12 Metal is installed close to the process so sensors and actuators can be connected to one of its eight ports with the shortest possible cables.

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A Strong Team!

To complement the MVP12 Steel distributors, Murrelektronik offers M12 Steel connectors that are fully potted and made of corrosion resistant stainless steel. Together the distribution box and cordset form a closed and rugged unit for F&B applications.